THE NATIONAL Child Month Committee has officially launched its poster and essay competitions. They are the first in a series of activities being organised for Child Month 2006 in May, to educate the public about the needs of children. The theme for the month is, 'Restore the Family: Save our Children'.
Dr. Pauline Mullings, chairperson of the committee, said that there was a need to organise such activities in order to restore values in the society and to sensitise the public about the impact of society's ills on children.
"The nation's children have lost their values. Why? The answer is simple. The family and home, which is their first community, has been destroyed," she told the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
Several factors, she noted, have contributed to Jamaica's current dilemma. These include industrialisation, which has led to an increase in labour hours and also the migration from the rural areas to the urban areas by persons in search of work to improve their standard of living.
"These factors have forced the separation of family members, hence the children end up suffering. They end up lacking in training, values and the development of positive attitudes," she argued.
The essay and poster competitions are divided into three age categories: 6-10 years; 11-14 years; and 15-18 years. Each entry should be based on the theme for Child Month.
Poster, essay information
Poster entries can be submitted on cartridge paper and can either be done in black and white or colour, while for the essay competition, entries should not exceed 1,000 words.
Participants may send entries to Dr. Pauline Mullings, Kingston High School at 172 King Street.
For further information, persons can contact Dr. Mullings at 816-2144 or 922-5645.
